The Odisha government on Thursday announced that it will provide electricity connections to houses that were left out in the electrification programme within 48 hours of receiving an application.
Addressing the State-level celebrations of the 73rd Independence Day, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said: “All habitations of Odisha have been electrified. If any house is left out, an application should be submitted to the panchayat office. Within 48 hours, the electricity connection will be provided.”
5Ts of governance
Mr. Patnaik elaborated his plan of making the administration accountable and responsive. “We have planned the ‘My Government’ programme based on 5Ts — transparency, teamwork, technology, time and transformation. This programme will begin from October 2 this year, the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi,” he said.
In the first phase, the 5T programme will be implemented in all police stations and district headquarter hospitals and by the next phase in March 2020, all departments will execute it, he said.
Feedback from people
“As your Chief Minister, I will make a telephone call to you and take feedback about the response you get in police stations and hospitals. Moreover, I would like to know your experience with government officials,” said Mr. Patnaik.
The Chief Minister said his Ministers would follow his footsteps and remain in direct contact with the general public.
Similarly, the bureaucracy has been asked to find out the problems directly from the people.
Changes have been made in the topmost bureaucracy in Odisha.
Bureaucratic reshuffle
Home Secretary Asit Tripathy has been appointed the next Chief Secretary of the State following the voluntary retirement of present Chief Secretary A.P. Padhi, who has since been appointed the next Election Commissioner of the State.
Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, Additional Chief Secretary in-charge of Forest and Environment, has been appointed as the Development Commissioner.
Pradipta Mahapatra, a senior IAS officer, will be the next Agriculture Production Commissioner.
The orders will come into effect from August 19.
